It was a memorable night for Dame Allan’s Schools, as a leading figure from the North East Business community helped nearly 1,000 students reflect on yet another successful year. 

Pupils, parents and staff gathered for the School’s annual Speech Day, held for the first time at the Sage in Gateshead, with Sarah Glendinning, Regional Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), in attendance as key note speaker. 

As well as celebrating the previous academic year’s achievements and accolades in academia, sports, and the arts, those in attendance were treated to exceptional performances by music, drama, and dance students.

In a time when a series of reports and key voices – including the current Chief Inspector of Schools, Amanda Spielman – have been critical of the prevalent ‘exam culture’ in education, the evening focussed on the benefits both of the extensive pastoral care provided by Dame Allan’s Schools and the breadth of opportunities open to their students in allowing them to achieve academic success and ‘be the best they can be’.   

In his address, Principal Dr John Hind noted the correlation between success in exams and involvement in the school community as a whole: “It can be argued that undue focus on examination stifles, rather than nourishes, academic interest… Many of the students who are about to receive prizes are the same pupils who star in sport, music, drama, dance, and the myriad of other activities which take place in the everyday life of Dame Allan’s.”

In an impassioned speech to the students, Ms Glendinning – a former pupil of Dame Allan’s – echoed this sentiment and stressed the importance of taking advantage of the wonderful extracurricular opportunities to which they have access at Dame Allan’s Schools: “Listening, learning, taking an interest in what’s going on around you, and being an active contributor to all your communities is so important. You never know where it may take you.”

Ms Glendinning was speaking from experience. Following her time at Dame Allan’s Schools, she admitted she initially had no idea what she wanted to do for a career. Upon completion of a business degree, Ms Glendinning decided her goal was to be a Marketing Director by the age of 30. Whilst she in fact went on to achieve that goal at the tender age of 27, Ms Glendinning confessed that within just two years she realised she was not completely happy with her career and made the bold decision to give it up and go travelling with her boyfriend to ‘work it all out’.

Since then, Ms Glendinning has built a successful career developing her knowledge of the business community in the region. This culminated in her appointment three years ago as the North East Regional Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), whose role is to lobby government on behalf of the members to help create a more prosperous society for all.

In her speech, Ms Glendinning cited the values of the school – courtesy, consideration, and respect – as well as the encouragement to have an enquiring mind and an awareness for actions in regards to the wider community have been invaluable to her throughout her career.

Speaking about the current career climate, Ms Glendinning noted that technology is reshaping and revolutionising the world of work with no more ‘jobs for life’, but that whilst this could be confusing, it is also incredibly exciting, quoting: “65% of children entering primary school today will do jobs that don’t even exist yet. Ten years ago job title Social Media Manager or App Developer didn’t exist… It can feel like there is no link to the subjects you’re studying at school, but… you will adapt over time to the situation you are in, with the solid foundation you are building now.”

Speaking about Speech Day, Principal Dr John Hind said: “The awards presented tonight are testament to our commitment in offering a broad education at Dame Allan’s Schools; I commend our students and staff for the hard work they put in over the course of yet another successful school year to achieve such fantastic results.

“Thank you to Ms Glendinning for inspiring the students and providing valuable insight into their future work life. We also thank everyone involved at the Sage for providing such a wonderful venue, which was so befitting in celebrating our students’ achievements and school community.”